Guwahati bars to stay open past midnight on New Year's eve

Guwahati, Dec 27 (IANS) Bars and hotels in this Assam city have been allowed to serve alcohol till 12.30 a.m. on New Year's eve but barred from serving drinks to those below 21 years.

The bars, hotels and restaurants must obtain special permission to stay open past 10 p.m. on Dec 31.

The decision was taken after a meeting among officials of Kamrup (Metro) district administration, excise department and owners of bars, hotel and restaurant.

"In the existing licence, bars and hotels can stay open till 10 p.m. However, they wanted the limit to be extended till 12.30 a.m. on the particular day."

"We have agreed but they have to obtain special temporary permission. We are also going to consider their past records before giving the permission," Deputy Commissioner Ashutosh Agnihotri said Thursday.

Bars and hotels have been told not to promote vulgarity and obscenity at New Year-eve parties.

Those serving liquor have been asked to deploy men and women bouncers and install close-circuit television cameras, said another official.

The official said strict action would be taken if there were violations of guidelines.

The city has over 300 wine shops and over 125 bars.

The Gauhati High Court had in August told the administration to shut down all wine shops and bars located within 500 metres of hospitals, dispensaries, nursing homes, religious, educational or other similar buildings and institutions.

The court later allowed them to reopen till the verdict was given in the case.